Convocations: 2019-2020 (fall semester)

fall semester convocation dates: all will be on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:25
♦ September 18, 2019: Ken Barlow is a popular Twin Cities meteorologist. In 2007, after a lifetime of manic bursts followed by debilitating depressions, Barlow was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder. For five years, fearing that the truth about his mental illness could have a negative impact on his life and career, Barlow told only a select few people; and even they were sworn to secrecy. He finally revealed his Bipolar disorder in 2012. Before he knew it, Barlow had redefined himself as a public figure openly living with a mental illness.

♦ October 16, 2019: Coventry Cowens will give the 2019 Bartling Lecture. She is the co-founder of the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG)—where she now serves as its operations coordinator. She has 20 year’s experience in the computer technology and software industry, and has also worked in higher education and social services. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota at Mankato (BS), and the University of St. Thomas (MBA certificate). Coventry has been a volunteer for several international and local nonprofits including True Friends and LTL International Leadership Institute. She was a University of Minnesota Human Rights Center, Human Rights Fellow in Tanzania and Kenya. In 2015, she was honored by Minnesota State University-Mankato with a Humanitarian Leadership Award; in 2019, she received an International Citizen Award from LTL International Leadership Institute.

♦ November 20, 2019: Phil Hansen is a multimedia artist who works at the intersection of traditional visual art, pointillism, and offbeat techniques. His work has been featured on the Discovery Channel, CNN, CBS, Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, Dr. Phil, Glamour and many other venues. In high school, Hansen developed a tremor and was diagnosed with permanent nerve damage in his arm that stopped him from following his dream of being an artist. After finding his way back to art years later, Hansen embarked on a journey to embrace his limitation. And along the way, he discovered that he could use limitations to actually drive creativity.

Hansen is the author of Tattoo a Banana, which presents an innovative approach to finding creativity through the exploration of everyday objects. As a commercial artist, Hansen has worked on a variety of TV and internet campaigns with clients that include the Grammy’s, Skype, Diesel and Arby’s. For more, visit philinthecircle.com. Hansen has devoted himself to teaching others the approaches to creativity that have changed both his outlook and his artistic endeavors. You can also watch his TED Talk on creativity: https://www.ted.com/talks/phil_hansen_embrace_the_shake

spring semester convocation dates: all will be on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:25
♦ January 15, 2020♦ February 19, 2020♦ March 18, 2020